QUARTERLY ACTIVITIES REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2016
ABN 56 057 552 137
ASX Code: CNX OTCQX Code: CNXAY
KEY EVENTS FOR THE QUARTERMajor shareholder Pacific Road Group provided consent to the JinHong Joint Venture (JV) for the grant of the right to licence the Company's Keyseam technology in China.
Carbon Energy and its JV partner, Beijing JinHong Investment Co. Ltd (JinHong) made progress on the JV's short-term priorities which included: the setting of the JV's strategic plan, advancing coal field assessments, appointment of key personnel, the JV Chinese registration process and payment terms.
On 11 March 2016 the Company announced a renounceable rights issue to Eligible Shareholders to raise up to $5.3 million.
SUBSEQUENT TO QUARTER ENDThe renounceable rights issues closed on 4 April 2016 and the Company raised $3.48 million before costs.
On 18 April 2016 the Queensland government introduced a ban on underground coal gasification (UCG) in Queensland.
The China University for Mining and Technology International Research Centre for UCG (the Centre) was officially opened on 24 April 2016, with Carbon Energy's Dr Cliff Mallett appointed as Director of the Centre. The Centre has been established to develop the highest standards for China's growing UCG industry.
COMPANY UPDATECHINA
JinHong Joint Venture (JV)
Carbon Energy and JV partner, JinHong have made considerable progress in advancing the JV. Key priorities for the short-term include:
securing a suitable coal field;
engaging the in-country engineering, procurement and construction management contractor;
contracting an in-country drilling company; and
commencing pre-engineering works once the coal field and engineering, procurement and construction contractor is appointed and a suitable coal field secured by the JV.
Progress has been made in the following areas since entering into the JV Agreement:
CNX Shareholder approval for entering into the JV Agreement;
Pacific Road consent gained as required under the Convertible Note Facility;
lodging the JV registration documents in China;
setting the JV's strategic plan and priorities;
assessing data of a number of coal field's for potential site suitability;
setting up an office in Beijing, China for the JV;
filling key roles in the Joint Venture management team; and
advancing payment terms.
The JV working party is committed to ensuring the initial project commences as soon as possible.
China UCG Research Centre
The China University for Mining and Technology International Research Centre for UCG (the Centre) was officially opened on 24 April 2016, with Carbon Energy's Dr Cliff Mallett appointed as Director of the Centre. The Centre has been established to encourage the development of UCG technology by industry and Government groups alike, as the environmentally acceptable utilisation method for coal. The Centre will seek to simplify the regulatory process by establishing national and international standards of operation for UCG and formally seek recognition by Government.
The establishment of the Centre is an important step forward in the advancement of Carbon Energy's expansion plans in China, where the company has a joint venture with Beijing JinHong Investment Co. Ltd to develop a vertically integrated gas business in China.
QUEENSLAND
Subsequent to Quarter end, the Queensland Government made an announcement on 18 April 2016 that it was taking the extraordinary step of banning UCG in Queensland, with plans to introduce legislation to give effect to the ban by the end of this calendar year.
This decision was a complete surprise to Carbon Energy and is in complete contradiction to the process laid out by the Queensland Government which the Company has followed at every step. The political decision flies in the face of the "evidence based," approach and assessment process outlined by the State Government.
During the quarter the Company attended a round table discussion with ministerial staff to discuss an outcome on the closure of Independent Scientific Panel (ISP) results and was lead to believe a resolution was imminent.
Carbon Energy completed the overarching requirements of the Queensland Government appointed ISP. In December 2014 the Government appointed advisors indicated that the Company had successfully completed these requirements. Carbon Energy was awaiting formal confirmation and a policy decision on the Company's keyseam technology. Overall, the Company has invested more than $150 million and eight years' work in a close working relationship with the Queensland Government.
The Board and Management is working to protect the value of the Company's Queensland assets in light of this decision. Meetings with the Premier and responsible Ministers have been requested to seek explanations for the ban which prevents the Company from extracting its Queensland gas resource utilising its proven unique keyseam technology. The Company is also seeking through these meetings formal recognition from the Government that it has completed the requirements of the ISP process. The Company is pleased to have the ongoing support of our shareholders during this time.
Carbon Energy is proud of the achievements it has made in completing the overarching requirement of the ISP. The operational, scientific and environmental results have provided significant confidence that our CSIRO developed keyseam technology is the most environmentally responsible method to maximise the extraction of energy from deep coal deposits.
The Company continues to explore a number of potential commercial opportunities which would utilise the existing infrastructure and assets at Bloodwood Creek.
While the importance of our Bloodwood Creek project to Carbon Energy is clear, our business is now far broader than UCG in Queensland. This is a fact attested to by the valuation attributed by accounting firm PwC of up to US$40 million to our JinHong JV Technology Licence Agreements for China alone.
CORPORATE CASH MANAGEMENTAfter conclusion of the capital raising the Company had access to $4.0 million. The Company continues to manage its cash resources prudently as it pursues International and Australian business development opportunities while also progressing the work plan for the mineral development licence (MDL374), that include the continuation of the Company's ground water monitoring program which forms part of its Rehabilitation Plan.
LEGAL MATTERS - SUMMA SHARE SALE AGREEMENTOn 27 November 2015 the Company advised it had been served with proceedings filed by Summa Resource Holdings LLC (Summa) against it in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (Complaint).
Carbon Energy maintains its position announced on 6 March 2013 that relevant milestones under the Agreement with Summa had not been met, notwithstanding Carbon Energy having taken all required steps and having used its best endeavours. Accordingly, Carbon Energy is not obliged to issue further tranches of shares to Summa.1
In December 2015, the Company filed motions to dismiss and to strike out a number of the allegations in Summa's Complaint. After considering arguments made by the parties in briefs filed in court, Judge Thelton Henderson ordered the parties to file supplemental briefs on questions dealing with the application of Queensland law to the dispute. After considering the supplemental briefs, Judge Henderson ordered the parties to file further supplemental briefs and vacated the scheduled hearing. It is anticipated that Judge Henderson will deliver his decision on the motions to dismiss and on matters related to the application of Queensland law without requiring the parties to file any further briefs or having to present oral arguments in court. Judge Henderson has not scheduled a date for his decision.
For and on behalf of the Board
Morné Engelbrecht
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer 29 April 2016
1 See ASX Announcement 23 February 2011 and 6 March 2013.
TENEMENT STATUS AT 31 MARCH 2016Tenement | Status | Area km2 |
MDL 374 | Granted* | 28.68 |
MLa 50253 | Application Pending** | 13.43 |
PFL 6 | Renewal Pending*** | 0.03 |
* Renewal granted in December 2015 through to 31 January 2018
** Application awaiting Environmental Impact Assessment prior to finalisation and assessment
*** Renewal submitted March 2015
Tenement | Status | Sub-Blocks | Area km2 |
EPC 867 | Renewal Pending# | 167 | 509.35 |
EPC 868 | Renewal Pending# | 44 | 134.20 |
EPC 869 | Granted | 63 | 192.15 |
EPC 1132 | Granted | 23 | 70.15 |
Total Eastern Surat Basin Tenements | 297 | 905.85 |
# Renewal Submitted November 2014
Figure 1 Carbon Energy Coal Tenure Surat Basin
ISSUED CAPITALAs at 28 April 2016
ORDINARY SHARES
1,763,659,050 shares
OPTIONS - LISTED
443,696,404 Listed options exercisable at $0.06 and expiring 31 July 2016
OPTIONS - UNLISTED
35,000,000 Unlisted Pacific Road Capital Convertible Note options
45,724,812 Unlisted current CNX management options and performance rights 4,185,339 Unlisted former CNX management options
SHAREHOLDERSAs at 28 April 2016
ORDINARY SHARES:
5,282 Shareholders
1. | Kam Lung Investment Development Company Limited | 29.16% |
2. | Pacific Road Capital | 8.48% |
Top 20 (26) Shareholders hold 60.79% of listed shares Major Shareholders (more than 5% holding):
OPTIONS - LISTED (EXERCISABLE AT $0.06 EXPIRING 31 JULY 2016):
1,201 Listed Option Holders
1. | Kam Lung Investment Development Company Limited | 38.72% |
2. | Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited | 11.34% |
3. | Archfield Holdings Pty Ltd | 3.16% |
4. | JP Morgan Nominees Australia Ltd | 2.22% |
5. | Mr Fuat Goksen Yurugor | 1.99% |
Top 20 Listed Option Holders hold 70.37% of listed options Top 5 Listed Option Holders:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS & MANAGEMENTBOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr Chris Rawlings Chairman and Non-Executive Director
Mr Morné Engelbrecht Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Dr Helen Garnett Non-Executive Director
Mr Peter Hogan Non-Executive Director
Mr Louis Rozman Non-Executive Director
Mr Huihai Zhuang Non-Executive Director
Mr George Su Alternative Director for Mr Huihai Zhuang
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
Mr Morné Engelbrecht Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Ms Catherine Costello Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary Dr Cliff Mallett Technical Director
Mr Stuart MacKenzie General Counsel
Mr Terry Moore General Manager Operations
APPENDIX 5BMINING EXPLORATION ENTITY QUARTERLY REPORT
Introduced 01/07/96 Origin Appendix 8 Amended 01/07/97, 01/07/98, 30/09/01, 01/06/10, 17/12/10, 01/05/13
Name of entity | ||
CARBON ENERGY LIMITED | ||
ABN | Quarter ended ("current quarter") | |
56 057 552 137 | 31 March 2016 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Cash flows related to operating activities | Current Quarter $A'000 | Year to date $A'000 | |
1.1 | Receipts from product sales and related debtors | - | 69 |
1.2 | Payments for
& Administration | (1) (495) - (950) | (46) (1,563) - (2,887) |
1.3 | Dividends received | - | - |
1.4 | Interest and other items of a similar nature received | 24 | 69 |
1.5 | Interest and other costs of finance paid | - | - |
1.6 | Income taxes paid | - | - |
1.7 | Other (provide details if material) Government grants: Export Market Development Grant | - | 2,490 |
Net Operating Cash Flows | (1,422) | (1,868) |
Cash flows related to investing activities | - - (1) | - - (3) | |
1.8 | Payment for purchases of:
| ||
1.9 | Proceeds from sale of:
| - - - | - - - |
1.10 | Loans to other entities | - | - |
1.11 | Loans repaid by other entities | - | - |
1.12 | Other (provide details if material) Exploration & evaluation costs, trademarks | (2) | (43) |
Net investing cash flows | (3) | (47) | |
1.13 | Total operating and investing cash flows | (1,425) | (1,915) |
Cash flows related to financing activities | - | 1,924 | |
1.14 | Proceeds from issues of shares and options | ||
1.15 | Proceeds from sale of forfeited shares | - | - |
1.16 | Proceeds from short term loan facility | - | - |
1.17 | Repayment of short term loan facility | - | (1,166) |
1.18 | Term facility costs | - | (16) |
1.19 | Capital raising costs | (22) | (33) |
Net financing cash flows | (22) | 709 | |
Net (decrease) / increase in cash held | (1,447) | (1,206) | |
1.20 | Cash at beginning of quarter/year to date | 1,930 | 1,689 |
1.21 | Exchange rate adjustments to item 1.20 | - | |
1.22 | Cash at end of quarter | 483 | 483 |
Subsequent to the end of the Quarter, the Company received $3.48m (before expenses) from its renounceable rights issue. Total available cash, including the proceeds from the renounceable rights issue is $3.96 million.
PAYMENTS TO DIRECTORS OF THE ENTITY, ASSOCIATES OF THE DIRECTORS, RELATED ENTITIES OF THE ENTITY AND ASSOCIATES OF THE RELATED ENTITIES
Current quarter $A'000 | ||
1.23 | Aggregate amount of payments to the parties included in item 1.2 | 182 |
1.24 | Aggregate amount of loans to the parties included in item 1.10 | - |
1.25 Explanation necessary for an understanding of the transactions
Costs included in item 1.23 above relate to Directors' salaries, annual leave, fees and superannuation.
NON-CASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES
2.1 | Details of financing and investing transactions which have had a material effect on consolidated assets and liabilities but did not involve cash flows |
Issue of 7,815,783 Ordinary Shares to cover the interest costs, payable 3 months in arrears, in relation to the Facility utilised under the $10 million Pacific Road Convertible Note Facility Agreement. These shares are issued in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 7. | |
2.2 | Details of outlays made by other entities to establish or increase their share in projects in which the reporting entity has an interest |
N/a |
FINANCING FACILITIES AVAILABLE
Add notes as necessary for an understanding of the position.
Amount available $A'000 | Amount used $A'000 | ||
3.1 | Loan facilities (Pac Road Convertible Note Facility) | 10,000 | 10,000 |
3.2 | Credit standby arrangements | 344 | 238 |
ESTIMATED CASH OUTFLOWS FOR NEXT QUARTER
$A'000 | ||
4.1 | Exploration and evaluation | 1 |
4.2 | BWC Site Operating & Maintenance Costs & Technical Services & Rehabilitation Drilling | 450 |
4.3 | Production | - |
4.4 | Corporate, Commercial, New Business & Administration (including financing costs) | 1,184 |
Total | 1,635 | |
RECONCILIATION OF CASH
Reconciliation of cash at the end of the quarter (as shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows) to the related items in the accounts is as follows. | Current Quarter $A'000 | Previous Quarter $A'000 | |
5.1 | Cash on hand and at bank | 332 | 167 |
5.2 | Deposits at call | 150 | 1,763 |
5.3 | Bank overdraft | - | - |
5.4 | Other (provide details) | - | - |
Total: cash at end of quarter (Item 1.22) | 482 | 1,930 |
CHANGES IN INTERESTS IN MINING TENEMENTS
Tenement reference | Nature of interest (note (2)) | Interest at beginning of quarter | Interest at end of quarter |
- | - | - | - |
- | - | - | - |
Interests in mining tenements relinquished, reduced or lapsed
Interests in mining tenements acquired or increased
ISSUED AND QUOTED SECURITIES AT END OF CURRENT QUARTER
Description includes rate of interest and any redemption or conversion rights together with prices and dates.
Total number | Number quoted | Issue price per security (see note 3) (cents) | Amount paid up per security (see note 3) (cents) | |||
7.1 | Preference +securities (description) | - | - | - | - | |
7.2 | Changes during quarter
| - - | - - | - - | - - | |
7.3 | +Ordinary securities | 1,495,754,653 | 1,495,754,653 | Fully paid | ||
7.4 | Changes during quarter
Interest on Convertible Note | 7,815,783 - | 7,815,783 - | $0.0163 - | Fully paid - | |
7.5 | +Convertible debt securities (description) | Pacific Road Capital $10 million Convertible Note Facility issued 5 January 2012 and repayable on 18 January 2017 with 5% interest payable quarterly in arrears in Company shares. | ||||
7.6 | Changes during quarter
| - - | - - | - - | - - | |
7.7 | Options Listed Options $0.06 Unlisted Options $0.026 Unlisted Options $0.1678 Unlisted Options $0.1678 Unlisted Options $0.0301 Unlisted Options $0.06 Unlisted Performance Rights | 443,696,404 7,081,738 7,000,000 28,000,000 9,495,080 33,333,333 7,500,000 | 443,696,404 - - - - - - | Exercise Price $0.06 $0.026 $0.1678 $0.1678 $0.0301 $0.06 NIL | Expiry Date 31/07/2016 15/10/2016 18/01/2017 25/02/2017 25/08/2017 30/06/2019 30/06/2019 | |
7.8 | Issued during quarter | - | - | - | - |
7.9 | Exercised during quarter | - | - | - | - |
7.10 | Expired during quarter | ||||
7.11 | Debentures (totals only) | - | - | ||
7.12 | Unsecured notes (totals only) | - | - |
COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
This statement has been prepared under accounting policies which comply with accounting standards as defined in the Corporations Act or other standards acceptable to ASX.
This statement does give a true and fair view of the matters disclosed.
Sign here:
Date: 29 April 2016
Name: Catherine Costello
Title: Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary
Carbon Energy Limited issued this content on 29 April 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 29 April 2016 00:58:47 UTC
Original Document: http://www.carbonenergy.com.au/irm/PDF/2383/QuarterlyActivitiesReportAppendix5B